25 best songs written by Diane Warren

In 1996, Toni Braxton released her highly anticipated sophomore album, Secrets. It garnered four singles, including the Grammy Award-winning track “Un-Break My Heart.” The powerful ballad finds Braxton begging her ex-lover to return and take away the pain he caused her. 

Celine Dion is no stranger to giving listeners a ballad with powerhouse vocals. Diane Warren penned the track “Because You Loved Me,” the second single from Dion’s album, Falling Into You. On the track, Dion praises the person who loved her, supported her, and helped her become a better version of herself. 

In the ‘90s, Diane Warren was known to pen hits for some of the biggest R&B and pop stars. For Brandy’s sophomore album Never Say Never, Warren wrote the hit ballad “Have You Ever.” On the track, Brandy sings of finding the love of her life, but unfortunately, the love doesn’t seem to be reciprocal. 

“Don’t Turn Around” was originally recorded by Tina Turner but became even more popular when Swedish pop band Ace of Base released their version in 1994. It became a top-five hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The band sings on the track about a lover breaking up with them and never returning. 

In 1998, R&B group Xscape released their third album, Traces of My Lipstick. It was led by the single “The Arms of the One Who Loves You.” The ballad finds the women singing about a lover breaking up with them, but if that doesn’t work out for the ex-partner, they could always run back to them. It was a top-10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Lady Gaga released her powerful ballad “Til It Happens to You” from the 2015 film The Hunting Ground. The film highlighted sexual assault cases and rapė crimes committed on U.S. college campuses. With that premise of the film, the lyrics in "Til It Happens to You" make perfect sense. 

Sibling group DeBarge was known for their love ballads but switched things up with a dance track, “Rhythm of the Night.” The track is about dancing and having fun, even when things may be going awry. As the hook says, “To the beat of the rhythm of the night / Dance until the morning light / Forget about all the worries on your mind / You can leave them all behind.” 

In 1989, Cher released her 19th album, Heart of Stone. The album’s second single, “If I Could Turn Back Time” was written by Diane Warren. On the track, Cher feels remorseful about how she treated a person and wishes she could return to the past to make things right. On the hook, she sings, “If I could turn back time / If I could find a way / I’d take back those words that hurt you, you’d stay.” 

Monica’s contralto vocal tone is perfect for any Diane Warren ballad. “For You I Will” was a ballad from the film Space Jam. On the track, Monica states her love and devotion for a partner, claiming she will do anything and be there for them through it all. “For You I Will” became a top-five hit on the Billboard Hot 100. 

In 1999, Christina Aguilera emerged as a buzzing star in the pop world with her self-titled debut album. “I Turn To You” was first recorded by All-4-One but became popular when Aguilera released her version. The track is about praising the one person who is always there for support and love. 

Whitney Houston is often regarded as one of the best vocalists of all time, which makes her voice perfect for a Diane Warren ballad. In 1999, Houston released her powerful track “I Learned from the Best.” Houston sings about going through a heartbreak, and now, she’s a master heartbreaker after going through the pain. 

“How Do I Live” is always an interesting song because it had two versions from LeAnn Rimes and Trisha Yearwood released on the same day. The lyrics find the protagonist questioning how life would be if her partner weren’t there; she feels like she wouldn’t be able to survive without them.

In 1989, Patti LaBelle released her ninth album, Be Yourself. The album’s lead single, “If You Asked Me To” tells the story of LaBelle seemingly giving up on love but would change her mind for someone that caught her eye. Three years later, Celine Dion released her cover version. 

Enrique Iglesias and Whitney Houston teamed up on their romantic collaboration “Could I Have This Kiss Forever.” On the track, the two stress how much they want to spend the rest of their lives with a lover. 

Mariah Carey worked with Diane Warren along with production duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on her 2000 single “Can’t Take That Away (Mariah’s Theme).” On the track, Carey sings of being confident and strong despite people trying to tear her down. 

While Aaliyah’s sophomore album One in a Million was helmed mostly by collaborators Timbaland and Missy Elliott, she worked with Diane Warren on the single “The One I Gave My Heart To.” On the track, Aaliyah is taken aback by a partner whom she loved so much but who broke her heart. As she says on the hook, “How could the one I gave my heart to break my heart so bad / How could the one who made me happy make me feel so sad?” 

Luther Vandross is often referred to as the Velvet Voice for a reason. He teamed up with Diane Warren and the production duo The Underdogs on his song “If I Was the One.” On the track, Vandross sees a potential lover isn’t being treated right by their current partner, and he knows that he could treat them way better because that's what they deserve.

Selena’s posthumous album Dreaming of You was an inclination that she was on the brink of massive crossover before her tragic passing. In "I'm Getting Used To You," Selena sings of being the type of person who wouldn’t fall in love until a special someone changed her heart and mind. 

Anthony Hamilton’s single “Do You Feel Me” was featured on the soundtrack to the 2007 film American Gangster. On the track, Hamilton questions the love and loyalty of his partner, often wondering if the feelings he has for them are mutual.

Throughout NSYNC’s career, they had very few collaborations. That all changed when they teamed up with Gloria Estefan on their single “Music Of My Heart,” the first single from The Music of the Heart soundtrack. The song highlights how a person is devoted, loving, and supportive. 

Written by Diane Warren and rapper Common, Andra Day’s “Stand Up for Something” was featured in the 2017 film Marshall. The song was nominated at the Academy Awards for Best Original Song. On the track, Day sings of people doing right and fighting for what they believe in. 

In 2014, pop singer Paloma Faith released her third album, A Perfect Contradiction. In the second single, “Only Love Can Hurt Like This,” Faith describes how love can sometimes be painful and make people act out of character. 

After her success with The Go-Gos, Belinda Carlisle decided to break off into a solo career. “I Get Weak” is the second single from her sophomore album Heaven on Earth. On the track, Carlisle sings of how love has a hold on her and can make her weak in the knees. In the first verse, she sings, “When I’m with you, I shake inside / My heart’s all tangled up, my tongue is tied.” 

It's evident throughout Diane Warren’s songwriting discography that she likes to write powerful ballads that can push a vocalist. On "I Was Here," Beyoncé sings of making an impact and accomplishing goals in her life. She wants to know that she made some type of difference in someone’s life. 

Michael Bolton’s 1991 single “Missing You Now” stresses his feelings about missing his lover and waiting until they are in each other's presence again. As he says in the second verse, “Wishing you were here by my side is all that I can do / Got my arms around my pillow at night / They should be holding you.”